The Hunter

Hunter Trilogy #1

by T.K. Leigh

To take down a monster, you have to become one.

Victor Kane thought he was untouchable… Until he took something that didn't belong to him.

Now I’ll burn his empire to the ground, starting with the one thing he holds dearest.

His wife.

But Ariana Kane is no fragile flower.

She’s colder than winter, sharper than any thorn, and hiding secrets darker than my own.

I took her as a pawn in this ruthless game of revenge.

I didn’t expect to keep her.

And I sure as hell didn’t expect to crave her with every beat of my dead, cold heart.

She was supposed to be a means to an end.

But the deeper I drag her into my world, the more I realize some queens aren’t made for the light.

And some gods fall hardest for the goddess they were never meant to touch.

The Hunter is the first book in a brand new dark romance trilogy from USA Today Bestselling Author T.K. Leigh. Grab your copy today.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary, Forced Proximity

Published August 7, 2025

About the author

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T.K. Leigh, otherwise known as Tracy Leigh Kellam, is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Beautiful Mess series, in addition to several other works. Originally from New England, she now resides outside of Raleigh with her husband, beautiful daughter, three cats, and special needs rescue dog.

When she’s not writing she can be found training for her next marathon (of which she has run over twenty fulls and far too many halfs to recall), having impromptu dance parties with her daughter, or planning her next trip to parts unknown.

Reviews

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book by TK and definitely not my last.

I was immediately hooked on this story from the start and enjoyed the suspenseful journey this took me on.

Henry wants revenge and he needs one individual to attain that - Ariana.

But Ariana is more than he realized and soon, his tool for revenge unexpectedly becomes more to him.

Leigh weaves a very suspenseful and seductive story that kept me enraptured from start to finish. I cannot wait to read more from this series and what happens next.

[Mandyloves2read · Rating 5 out of 5]

T.K. Leigh does suspenseful revenge plots do well and this was no different! The characters the chemistry the plot the suspense and the steam this is a recipe for a phenomenal story and one I’m addicted to and I can’t wait for the next book!

[Reading by Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry was attending the fundraiser for only one reason, and supporting the cause had nothing to do with his decision to attend. The hypocrisy turned his stomach. He hated everything about being there. The tuxedos, women in designer gowns dripping in diamonds and false smiles as they use the event to further their own agendas.
But he had an agenda of his own and he had a hard time hiding the rage as he watched his mark. Everyone knew who he was. A recluse with too much money. And nothing to lose, because the man he is staring at took it away from him.

He has studied him long enough to know what matters to him the most. Power, control and more importantly, his wife. And Henry plans to take them all away from him, especially the wife he adores.

Ariana needed a break. It was getting harder and harder to keep the smile on her face, but she had spent too long building the walls around her emotions to let anyone know that she was anything but a wife that her husband adored.

I loved this book! It is very well written and the characters are fully developed and relatable.

Henry is out for revenge and plans to take everything away for the man responsible for the death of his daughter.

On the surface, Ariana is living the perfect life. Married to a billionaire who adores her, but nothing is as it seems. She is married to a monster and when she is kidnapped, she starts to fall for her captor, until she finds a message that chills her to her bones.

This book leaves you with a major cliffhanger. This book is action-packed and full of action and suspense. Henry is determined to get his revenge even as he falls for Ariana. But, his secrets may be putting Ariana in more danger when she thinks he is the assassin hired by her husband.

Can’t wait to read the next book in this trilogy. Highly recommend!

[Dru · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶🌶🌶
🔥🔥🔥

I liked The Hunter by T.K. Leigh. It was good, but nothing mind-blowing. The story follows Victor Kane, a former Navy SEAL turned businessman, who kidnaps Ariana Kane, the wife of a man he blames for a personal tragedy. What starts as a revenge plot slowly turns into a complicated and intense romance that kept me curious about how things will play out.

Ariana masks who she really is to appear like the perfect wife and socialite, but she’s anything but that. Victor takes her, thinking he has the perfect key to bending his enemy to his will, but he’s completely unprepared for who Ariana truly is and what she endured at the hands of her husband.

Overall, the book was pretty solid, and I liked the premise. There were plenty of parts that were genuinely enjoyable, and the plot moved along without dragging, which kept me reading. What frustrated me, though, was Ariana and Victor constantly getting in their own way. Victor was so fixated on the version of Ariana he thought he knew that he brushed off who she really was most of the time. And Ariana? She was stubborn and made a bunch of mistakes, constantly trying to leave, which made the story feel like a miscommunication trope more than anything else. To be fair, some of that tension was necessary, but there were moments where I just had to roll my eyes.

The book ends on a heavy cliffhanger, and if the second one were out, I’d probably read it. Since it’s not, I’m unsure if I’ll continue with the series. I could easily forget this book and skip the next one, but there’s also a chance I’ll pick it up anyway. It’s definitely a good read, but for me, something was missing that kept it from being great.

⟣Tropes⟢
✅ Touch her and 💀
✅ 🩶 Morally Grey MMC 🩶
✅ Dual POV’s (first person)
✅ Captor/Captive
✅ Enemies-to-Lovers
✅ He falls first
✅ 🔥 Slow Burn 🔥
✅ MINE
✅ Cliff


‼️‼️‼️Trigger Warning‼️‼️‼️
I don’t have any specific triggers and was okay reading it without any warnings, but always take care of your mental health before diving in, since this book definitely has triggers.

[Juli Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry is out for revenge and nothing will stop him from retrieving it, or so he thought.
Ariana is living a hell of a life with her abusing husband and can’t even think of running, she knows he will find her and probably kill her. She’s taken, kidnapped but not by who she thinks, he actually saved her from her kidnapper.
Henry can’t help but fall for her and Ariana does too, is it Stockholm’s syndrome?
I love the intrigue and suspense plus the ending is one big cliffhanger. Can’t wait for the next book.

[Jill Bridgeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh yes, I want more. Things were just starting to heat up and then bam! It all goes sideways. What started out as a revenge plot, slowly turned into something completely different. Even though Henry tried to stick to his plan, a slip in the ice changed everything. Ariana is a survivor. She will survive this and I cant wait to see how she does it. I feel as if she realized at the end, Henry wasn't who she should have been running from. So we will see where their paths take us.
I'm waiting TK!

[Paula Genereau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book. I absolutely loved it. I think this is my favorite book by TK.

[Cindy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know I needed Henry’s story. I was wrong. Join me in the sweet darkness that is his revenge story.

[Melissa Crump · Rating 5 out of 5]

T.K. Leigh’s The Hunter is a dark, seductive plunge into the depths of revenge, deception, and unexpected vulnerability. This story is full of vengeance. The Hunter is set on dismantling Victor Kane’s empire by targeting the woman at his side. But Ariana Kane isn’t the trophy wife he expected. She’s layered, enigmatic, and hiding secrets that could unravel everything.

Leigh masterfully balances suspense with emotional complexity, crafting a narrative that’s as psychologically intense as it is steamy. The chemistry between the leads crackles with tension, and the slow unraveling of their facades keeps the pages turning. What begins as a calculated mission becomes a dangerous entanglement of truth, desire, and redemption.

This is the first installment in a new trilogy, and it sets the stage with high stakes and haunting allure. If you’re drawn to enemies-to-lovers arcs with a dark twist and characters who blur the lines between hero and villain, The Hunter delivers in spades.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hunter is the first book in the Hunter Trilogy brand new dark romance. A beautifully crafted story with complex individuals and a twisty and fascinating storyline that captures the audience attention from the beginning and keeps you hooked and on the edge of your seat and turning the pages. Hang on to your seat and brace yourself for this tantalizing mind-blowing story filled with tension, drama, strength, surprise, resilience, and intrigue.
An exquisitely written story with complex individuals and a twisty storyline driven by revenge that grabs the audience attention from the start and keeps you riveted and on the edge of your seat with it's pulse-pounding suspense, high-octane action, non-stop twists and turns and mystery and follow along as these two rival enemies fall in love with each other. An unputdownable and absorbing addictive read. A definite page turner with enticing erotic scenes that will have you sweating and gasping for more. It's twisted, dark, thrilling and spicy. Compelling. Dirty. Captivating. Dangerous. This is Henry and Ariana story which is told from a dual point of view. This story demands to be read and screamed escape from the everyday life and gave that something extra that you craved and never knew that you needed.

💀Morally-grey Antihero Romance
☠️Hades x Persephone Retelling
✔️Forced Proximity Romance
✔️Captive Romance
✔️Revenge Story
✔️Romantic Suspense Story
❄️❄️Snowed in Together
✔️Aged Gap Trope Romance
✔️Forbidden Romance
✔️Dark Mafia Romance
🛌🛌Only one Bed Story
✔️Different Worlds Romance
Henry Fontaine a.k.a. The Hunter is fuel by revenge because of his daughter and he wants his vengeance against Victor Kane whose responsible for her death and he will utilize any method to attain his goal. He as his eyes set on Victor's trophy wife Ariana Kane because he believes that she can help him with this. But nothing is as it seems in this brutal war. Ariana has had a rough life living with Victor in the glided cage that she had been living in an unwilling captive to his madness. He's a evil, violent, and deplorable abusive sob of a bitch and because of this his wife is caught in cross-hairs not only by The Hunter and as well as some of his enemies who wants to see him fall. Henry as been plotting, reconing, and everything that it is regarding Victor since his daughter's death. He have been planning on using Ariana as a pawn in his game of revenge but before he could implement his plans into action, someone beats him to the punch when he witnessed her getting abducted. He rescues her from her abductor and the two went somewhere safe.
Ariana is a woman who wears two mask one when in public and another at home. For years she as dreamt about escaping her abusive husband and being away from under his roof Ariana thought that she was free and had a new lease on life unbeknowing to her that she has now turned into a pawn for revenge against her husband. Henry automatically assumed that being married to Victor that she was just like him not knowing the hell that she has been living under his roof. However, he would soon learn about making assumptions from observation without asking the pertain questions before. And Ariana shows him that she was no wallflower. She was fiesty, challenging, sassy smart, and a vault of secrets that he didn't have no idea about. And being in close corners he saw different side of her and the chemistry between the two was off the charts. Will they act on it? And will he show her that he was not like Victor? Will she tell him what she's hiding? Will he tell her the reason why he wants Victor dead? Will Henry be able to save Ariana again before it's too late after she jumps to the wrong conclusion and put herself in danger?

I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars-THE HUNTER is the first instalment in TK Leigh’s contemporary, adult HUNTER dark erotic, trilogy focusing on former Navy SEAL and businessman Henry Fontaine and socialite Ariana Kane. The HUNTER series is a spin off, set in the author SAINT trilogy world.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers .

Told from dual first person perspectives (Henry and Ariana) THE HUNTER focuses on Henry Fontaine’s need for revenge. The apparent suicide of someone he love sent Henry Fontaine into ‘hunter’ mode when the death didn’t make sense in the grand scheme of things. Determined to get his revenge on the person he believes was responsible, Henry targets Ariana Kane, the wife of hotelier Victor Kane, and a woman whose own life has spiralled out of control. As Henry’s captive, Ariana has more freedom than she could have ever imagined but someone else is targeting our story line heroine, and a case of misunderstanding finds our heroine on the run, into more danger than the life she left behind.

The world building focuses on revealing the truth. Henry needs vengeance and closure, and believe abducting Ariana will solve most of his problems but Ariana is a victim, and Henry battles between head and heart, falling for a woman who belongs to someone else.

The relationship between Henry and Ariana is one of jailer and captive but Ariana discovers that life with Henry is safer than the life she left behind but as Henry and Ariana grow closer, secrets are about to push Ariana out, leaving a distraught Henry behind. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The limited secondary and supporting characters are interesting and mostly off screen. We are introduced to Ariana’s billionaire husband Victor Kane; her mother Daphne, as well as Henry’s right hand man Blake, and his best friend Gideon Saint (Saint Trilogy).

THE HUNTER is a story of betrayal and vengeance, murder and obsession, power, abuse and control, acceptance and friendships. The character driven premise is dramatic, dark and edgy; the romance is seductive; the characters are desperate, charismatic and determined. THE HUNTER ends on a cliff hanger -you have been warned.

copy supplied for review

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I say I run for new TK Leigh releases, I mean I’m flying like I’m being pursued by one of her hero’s. I always know I’m going to enjoy her stories and The Hunter was as good as I was expecting!

We have Henry, our businessman and former Navy seal looking for revenge in the suspicious death of his daughter. He smells BS on it being labeled a suicide and has a few clues, but he’s looking for revenge and information against the man whose involvement Henry has pieced together- Victor Kane. Henry’s way to that revenge is Victor’s wife, Ariana, who floats through their high society gatherings seemingly as entrenched in the high society world as her husband. Henry interrupts a kidnapping of Ariana and decides to make his move then and takes her himself. Ariana however, is glad to be away from her monster of a husband and their proximity in his remote cabin, turn Henry’s assumptions of her around.

Henry is conflicted in his dealings with Ariana, torn between wanting revenge and wanting to protect her, but wondering if she’s fooling him. Ariana is thinking similar things having been preyed upon by Victor when they married young. Their walls start to come down and there are some twists regarding who initially tried to take Ariana and why…

Henry keeps things close to the vest and it costs them both at the end…Cliffhanger!

Great first book to setup the story. A slow burn, dark romance with a hot morally grey leading man, with some sketchy powerful men and secrets coming out. I especially loved the interrupted kidnapping and the way these two unfurled their guards around each other. Looking forward to the sequel!

[Selena Lanovara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stupid Stupid girl ...Why didn't she take the fucking dog . Idiot

Ariana is married to a brutal man Victor Kane. Victor is poweful ,Rich and has secrects. Henry is going to hurt Victor by taking his most prized possession. Henrys been watching her for awhile. So when he finds someone else is trying to take what he needs to break Victor. He stops it and finds himself in a big predicament.

Ariana Kane thinks Henry is her kidnapper little does she know he saved her but from who he's trying to find out.

Henry Fontaine is dead set on ruining Ariana but the more he's trying to make her hate him ,he's falling and fast. His mission is starting to shift. So now trying to protect her he left himself wide open. Before he knows what happening its to late

[Stephanie Ditmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I freaking loved Henry and Ariana. Henry is troubled and believes that Ariana’s husband is at the root of it all. One plan, kidnap his wife, make her husband hurt like he is after losing someone he cared for. Once he sets his sights on her, she’s not at all what he believed her to be. Ariana’s life isn’t all champagne and caviar, she’s literally surviving not living. Her husband is a horrible person and needs to disappear in the worst way possible for what he’s done to her. Kidnapping her would be easy until someone else steps in with the same idea, little does she know that Henry savds her from another would-be kidnapper, and now spending time together and getting to know her, Henry believes there is more to her story. The pull and chemistry between them is off the charts and once they cross the line there is no going back, but there are secrets, like why he has her, why does she recognize the woman in the picture? So many things to figure out, but when she goes snooping and finds something she believes is Henry’s, she makes arrangements to bolt, but will that be a good or bad decision? Henry wants her for himself, she makes him feel for the first time in a while, but when he realizes what’s happened, will he be able to save her or will he be too late? Awesome book I can’t wait for the next one to see what happens between them. I found this book on Booksprout.

[Little monster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book from this author and I absolutely devoured it in a day!!! This is revenge at its finest!!

Henry is full of vengeance after a family member is found dead, they rule it as suicide but he knows it's murder and he's set out to destroy Victor Kane the man he believes is behind it all....till there's nothing left and if that means kidnap his wife then so be it. When he takes Ariana Kane she's not the pampered princess he thought she was!! She's hiding secrets of her own, but can she break down Henry's walls? Can she be open and honest to him about what type of man her so-called husband is and what he does to her in private?

The relationship between these two is something else to read.....what starts off as anger and vengeance turns into a battle of following your head or your heart for both of them. Ariana feels she's safer with Henry even thou he can be cold and angry at times...he never hurts her!! As they grow closer, secrets come out....will this push Ariana to the edge? Urgh the spicy scenes are just chefs kiss! they weren't too over the top or too in your face they felt just right for the characters.

This is a perfect balance of dark romance, suspense and insta lust/hate!! Be warned this ends on a cliffhanger.....I can't wait to see where this is going next!!

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.

This is the story or Henry and Ariana. Henry is a man out for revenge. A death that he never saw coming has turned him into the Hunter. The death just doesn't make sense to him and he is going to get revenge if it is the last thing he does. He knows who he thinks has done it and has his sites set on the wife of hotelier Victor Kane. Ariana. This woman isn't exactly living the life she thought that she would be living herself. Her life is quite frankly spiraling out of control. When Henry takes her she has more freedom with him than she could have ever expected or has experienced in a long time. However there are other people targeting her too. Let's just say there is a lot going on for Ariana and she is in a whole heap of danger. I do not want to tell you too much or I will ruin something. I loved this book. I was so hooked I couldn't put it down. I loved these characters and I really loved that Ariana got rescued herself when that wasn't really the case in Henry's mind. These two have some great chemistry and steamy moments between them. I don't think this is a book you need to miss. There is just something magical about the way T.K. Leigh writes her characters' and weaves their tales.

[Curtis E Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you ready for a twisty spin with unexpected surprises? The Hunter by T.K. Leigh will have you glued to your reader for the entirety. But just be warned, this one will have you wrapped but also have you dangling by the time it is over.

If you have read the preview, you may think you have an idea of the story. When you think of a hunter, all sorts of things may come to mind. But when T.K. is the writer, you need to look deeper…because she writes from a far darker place. Think of it this way… sometimes the bagging of the target is not the end of the task. Think about what all goes into the process: the planning, the assessing of the area, the tracking, etc. Now think about that when vengeance is part of the plan. That should give you a light in the beginning of The Hunter Series.

Meet Henry and Ariana. Discover what and why they click…when they are not supposed to. Watch what makes Henry tick and discover as Ariana learns about herself. Feel the changes in their temperament, watch them fight the ghosts that create nightmares. Fall in love with them learning to lean on each other for support. And then… that damn cliff hanger!

T.K. Leigh has started one heck of a fun, exciting, and interesting series. There are not enough stars to give to this one and I cannot wait for the next installment. Great job lady!

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

T.K. Leigh gives us our next obsession. The Hunter is the first book in this dark mafia romance trilogy. The way I devoured this book was no joke. I was on the edge of my seat as soon as the anti-hero's dark vengeful thoughts appeared on the page. The world and these characters instantly had my attention. I recommend this series just from the first book.

Contains:
Captive
Morally gray hero
Stalking
Age-gap
Hades and Persephone
Forced proximity
One bed
Snowed in
Spicy
Revenge
Mafia
Dual POV
Check TW

Henry is calculating and ruthless. He's all the sexy morally gray anti-hero things we shouldn't crave but love. But there's so much more to him under the dark facade. I mean he cooks AND has a dog, can he be any more perfect?!

Ariana is no damsel. She's got a backbone and I love that about her. Her life is not at all what it seems. She's had to live each day inprisoned surviving and living with a monster.

The way the two MCs despised each other and while also being attracted to one another made for such delicious build-up. I was not expecting to get emotional during some difficult sensitive topics discussed but the author did an exceptional job.

I enjoyed every moment of this book and cannot wait for the second part of this series.

[Janet Taggart Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

NEVER ASSUME WHAT GOES ON BEHIND CLOSED DOORS!

Ariana Kane lives a life of privilege and luxury; married to the handsome billionaire Victor Kane who adores her, and envied by many. Or does she? No one ever knows what goes on behind closed doors. Definitely not Henry Fontaine, who is pursuing a personal vendetta against Victor. He decides that taking what Victor cherishes, Ariana, will hurt him the most.

In a strange twist of fate, Henry rescues Ariana from a kidnapping and she ends up with Henry when he is not prepared. As they spend time together, he realizes that all is not as it seems in the Kane household. Ariana is not the pampered, vain, selfish shell of a woman he believed, but instead a survivor and he is enraptured by her. She discovers he is not at all like Victor, even though he is a strong, dominant man, he doesn't bully and abuse women. He is gentle and gives her free choice. They both fall for each other. Henry is determined to discover who kidnapped her and why. His biggest mistake was not sharing any information with Ariana.

The cliffhanger at the end of this book had me chewing my fingernails (I was doing it for the last 2 chapters actually and screaming at Ariana!) I need the next book ALREADY!!

[Wendy LeGrand · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a thrilling start to the Hunter trilogy! Henry Fontaine has intrigued me for a while now, having first met him in the Saint trilogy. He was the trusted IT super hacker best friend of Gideon Saint. He and Gideon had been through quite a lot of tragedy in their younger years, but now he was a self-made millionaire that Gideon relied on unfailingly. What was Henry's backstory? That was all I could think about while reading that series. And now we know.

Ariana comes across as the perfect wife, princess, eye candy - at least in Henry's eyes. He's bound and determined to take her husband down, starting with kidnapping her. Only after he's accomplished that part, he realizes how terribly wrong he's been about her the entire time. Now he's in a huge quandary. How does he still accomplish his plan and keep Ariana safe at the same time? Does he reveal to her what his plan was? Tell her what he knows? And what does Ariana want? The pull towards each other is undeniable, the chemistry sizzling, the bedroom scorching. But how do these two move forward, and at what cost?

Ms. Leigh has always been one of my favorite authors when it comes to writing suspense and dark romance. Henry and Ariana should hate each other, for different reasons, but they both find themselves falling for each other despite all the obstacles. This first book is a delicate balance of uncertainty, a thirst for vengeance, a reawaking of oneself, and the underlying threats from several sources that could blow everything to pieces.

Once again, the queen of cliffhangers left me breathless with my heart in my throat! I don't know how I'm supposed to wait for book 2 to find out what happens!

[Dianna Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one writes suspense like TK Leigh and her first book in her latest trilogy is off to a fantastic start. We first meet Henry in the Cruel Saint trilogy as Gideons friend. He is intriguing and tech savvy but you can sense he has something that has seriously hurt him. We find out in this book exactly what that is. He is out for revenge and what better way to get it than to take everything away from the man he holds responsible namely the his wife Arianna. What happen when Henry realizes that what he thought was a perfect marriage isn't and he see the truth behind all the glitz and glamour. Arianna has perfected the role of the perfect wife. Everyone wants to be her and thinks she has everything she could possibly want. No one see behind the facade she wears everyday to hide the darkness that she is faced with living. What happens when Henry sees the real Arianna and realizes things with her are not at all what he or everyone sees. When Arianna jumps to conclusions and finds herself in danger will Henry be able to save her or will both of their lives never be the same again. I love this new series and can't wait for book 2 to find out what happens next.

[Genesis · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all: THIS IS PART OF A DUET, if I would’ve known that this story ended with a cliffhanger I would’ve skipped it, it’s not even worth it!

I struggle a lot with the whole FMC being SA and abused for x amount of time but then meeting the MMC and with the magic of his dick he cures her. however, I must say that Henry was sweet, a little dumb but sweet in his way of loving. in this book there is a "main" plot but then because of the "mystery" another ones arises that gives me the feeling that I skipped other books to get to this one... is that the case? there are characters that I have no idea who they are but they are still thrown into the story with a miserable description... this story ended so badly, she's just an idiot! there's no other word that describes her properly. I can forgive a lot, but a dumb FMC just for the sake of being one... no! I hope it goes well for you all, I don't think I'll read the next one, I'll probably take a look at the spoilers to see what other stupid thing she did and what really happened to Sarah (I wish we had stayed on track with this plot, it was really interesting).

[Trudy Dowling · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!! What a magnificent beginning to T.K. Leigh's newest trilogy. The story is intense. Let me tell you I earned the traditional cliffhanger. After all of the action and drama; the suspense I feel will grow and grow until book two lands on my reader.

What makes this story so amazing is Henry Fontaine, Gideon's friend. Henry is putting his tech savvy self to the test. His daughter is dead and he needs to know the truth. So far he is coming up with nothing. Victor Kane, the one he suspects, seems so squeeky clean. So Henry watches and waits.

When the unexpected happens he acts without thinking. It might become his greatest mistake. He saves Victor Kane's wife, Ariana. He takes her to safety, but is anywhere really safe? Lots can happen in close quarters. Tensions need an outlet. Boredom can lead to snooping. Jumping to conclusions, instead of talking, can lead to the unthinkable and my nails being chewed to the quick.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry Fontaine is waiting for the opportunity to end Vincent Kane, and he believes the best way to get to him is via his beautiful trophy wife Ariana. His plan isn't fully formed yet, but when an unexpected opportunity arises, ie. Ariana is being abducted by another person, who just happens to have the code to their property gate, Henry takes his chances and abducts her again!

Little does Henry know about who his actions have crossed, but even stranger for Ariana, because she doesn't know anything.

Holding Ariana in a remote cabin on a mountain, Henry is trying to work out who took Ariana first, and there appears to be a connection to Vincent's past. How does this all piece together? Ariana begins to realise that there is so much more to Henry, and when he has an accident, instead of leaving like she could, she stays to help.

This changes everything between them and this is where the real twists in the tale start!

A gripping story, ending on a cliffhanger. I cannot wait to read the next installment. Brilliantly written as ever, you are so pulled into the story.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in a trilogy about vengeance, obsession, and unexpected desire. It follows a ruthless anti-hero determined to bring down his enemy by kidnapping the one thing he holds most dear—his wife. But Ariana Kane isn’t the helpless victim he expected. She’s sharp, secretive, and just as dangerous as the man who took her.

This is a fast-paced, intense read that pulls you in quickly and doesn’t let go. The chemistry between the characters crackles from the start, and the emotional push-and-pull makes for a highly addictive story. While the book definitely leans into the darker side of romance—with morally gray characters and a revenge-driven plot—it never loses its emotional core.

One thing to note: this does end on a cliffhanger, so be prepared to want to dive into the next installment right away. Still, the pacing is tight, and the writing is compelling enough to make it a quick and satisfying read overall.

Recommended for fans of dark romance, morally gray anti-heroes, and high-stakes emotional drama.

[Kelly - Words We Love By · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Dark. Seductive. Addictive.

Some stories slither in and coil around you. This one strikes.

Henry Fontaine was a ghost in the shadows of the Saint Trilogy—dangerous, unreadable, unforgettable. But now? Now he steps into the light, and he’s burning everything in his path… starting with the Kane empire.

T.K. Leigh has been a favorite of mine for years, and somehow, she still manages to outdo herself. The Hunter is bold, intoxicating, and laced with secrets that whisper long after the final page.

Ariana Kane is no pawn—she’s a storm in designer heels. And while Henry may think he's pulling the strings, it's hard to tell who's really in control. Because every interaction, every look, every twisted truth between them is electric.

This is a revenge story soaked in sin and soaked deeper in secrets. And just when you think you've got a handle on the game...

T.K. Leigh drops a cliffhanger that will leave you breathless.

You’ve been warned: Nothing is what it seems.
And no one leaves this game clean.

[Donna reads Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent!! What an incredible start to the Hunter Trilogy.
Everything about this story reels you in…the vengeance, suspense, danger the secrets and the passion.
It’s definitely ENTICINGLY THRILLING .
When Henry decides to enact his revenge on Victor Kane he sets his sights on Victor’s wife, however it’s Ariana secrets that could change everything. The suspense keeps us the the edge of our seats…
The chemistry between Henry and a Ariana is incredibly palpable and positively searing!
But when they can’t contain their desire and need for each other, and give into this burning inferno it’s blazing HOT!
Escaping into this psychologically intense dark romance was remarkably ASTOUNDING.
The twist and turns, the power and danger, the emotional impact and drama will have you completely mesmerized with these characters and there profoundly intense story.
I found this story to be masterfully written and it took me on a deeply heart-gripping, climatic and impressive journey with strong, captivating and entertaining characters.
BTW…the cliffhanger is astonishingly gripping!!

[Cathy Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Henry. He’s Gideon’s best friend and like a brother to him. While trying to uncover what happened to his daughter, he becomes entangled in the lives of a couple. Ariana, a young woman seemingly chosen by a billionaire to be a pretty plaything, is married to Victor Kane, a sadistic man who thrives on controlling everything around him, including his wife. As Henry digs for answers about his daughter, he discovers far more terrifying problems than he expected, with the Bratva somehow involved. While watching Victor’s wife, he witnesses her being kidnapped but can’t tell if Victor orchestrated it or if someone else is behind it. Henry rescues Ariana and takes her to his childhood cabin. As they grow close during the search for her kidnapper, Ariana stumbles upon a snapshot and a note that lead her to believe Henry was working with the Bratva to abduct her, though the reasons remain unclear.
I can't wait to read the next book in this trilogy the Pawn. This was a very good read, but I am not surprised it is by one of my favorite authors T.K. Leigh

[Jinane Abou Hassan zahran · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hunter kicks off a dark, emotionally intense trilogy centered around revenge, secrets, and a slow-burn captor/captive dynamic. Henry Fontaine is out for vengeance; Ariana Kane is the pawn who turns out to be anything but passive. Both characters are broken in their own ways, and their tangled connection unfolds gradually.

While the setup is strong and the writing atmospheric with a strong undercurrent of suspense, the chemistry between the leads didn’t fully land for me. It’s a slow build that sometimes lacked spark, though Henry’s conflicted emotions and Ariana’s guarded strength kept things interesting.

This is very much a “book one” with more setup than payoff, but if you enjoy dark romance, morally gray heroes, and twisted power plays, it’s a solid start with the promise of more to come. Just be ready for that cliffhanger.

I received this book via Booksprout and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Misty Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. This is the first book in the Hunter Trilogy. Each book is going to need to be read in order.
Hunter wants to take down Victor Kane. So, he is going to hit him where it hurts. The one thing he holds dearest, his wife, Ariana Kane. When he notices someone else trying to take her before he has a chance, he must intervene. Now he has her at his cabin and she is not the spoiled princess he thought she was. Is the close proximity clouding his judgement or did he get it all wrong when he was watching her?
Ariana was young and naive when she married her husband. He quickly showed his true self and she has been trying to be the perfect wife since. When she is kidnapped she is relieved to not be near him, her captor seems like a good man but could he be hiding his true self like Victor did when they first got married?
This is a dark romance that could have some triggers. I love Hunter and Ariana story so far and can't wait for more.